TV Media Insights - TVMI - TV Ratings - Network Show Reviews

Baretta and Murphy Brown Conclude

marcberman — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:05:10 +0000

There were two series finales: ABC crime drama Baretta, with Robert Blake, in 1978; and CBS sitcom Murphy Brown, with Candice Bergen, in 1998.

That’s a Wrap: Upfront Presentation Week

marcberman — Thu, 17 May 2012 21:26:08 +0000

21 NEW SERIES THIS FALL; A GLUT OF LOW-RATED RETURNEES

Keeping in mind that any primetime schedule is subject to change, the first overall observation of the class of fall 2012 is an abundance of mid-level returnees. Six fewer new series in total than last fall indicates that too many low-rated shows are coming back (including the glut of single-camera comedies on NBC and six declining series on The CW). While you can’t cancel everything trending downward, the focus needs to be more on the new.

As always, there are some promising new entries — Nashville and Malibu Country on ABC; Partners, Vegas and Elementary on CBS; Chicago Fire on NBC; The Mindy Project on Fox; and Emily Owens, M.D. on The CW. But nothing looks like a breakout (a la that classic fall 2004 when Desperate Housewives and Lost were introduced on ABC); and wasting the plum Wednesday 9:30 p.m. half-hour on ABC (out of Modern Family) on something as inane as new sitcom The Neighbors is one of the many questionable moves.

CBS, as always, stands well above the rest from years of wise planning for the future. ABC has some very promising ingredients, including the relocation of sophomore drama Revenge to Sundays at 9 p.m. (in place of Desperate Housewives). NBC is trying to be aggressive, but 10 comedies in total are far too many given the absence of any hits. Fox is playing it too safe. And six low-rated returning dramas on the The CW is an immediate obstacle.

Regardless, there is a still great value in network television. Flawed as it may be, it is still the best outlet for the greatest reach. Let the selling begin!

Updated Results in Network Daytime Talk

marcberman — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:10:16 +0000

THE TALK ON CBS REMAINS ON THE PLUS SIDE

Based on the Live Plus Same Day ratings from Nielsen for the week of May 7, it was business as usual in daytime network talk. The View on ABC was most-watched with 3.30 million viewers; The Talk on CBS remained on the year-to-year upside with growth of nine percent in total viewers (2.02 to 2.19 million) and as much as 17 percent in women 18-49 (0.6/ 4 to 0.7/ 5); and The Chew on ABC continued to bleed from year-ago occupant All My Children as follows:

All My Children – Week of 5/09/11
Viewers: 2.30 million, Women 25-54: 1.1/ 7, Women 18-49: 0.8/ 5, Women 18-34: 0.5/ 3

The Chew – Week of 5/07/12
Viewers: 2.09 million, Women 25-54: 0.8/ 5, Women 18-49: 0.6/ 4, Women 18-34: 0.4/ 3

Percent Change – The Chew vs. All My Children
Viewers: – 9, Women 25-54: -27, Women 18-49: -25, Women 18-34: -20

As for cancelled The Revolution on ABC, 1.22 million viewers this week — down 53 percent from the 2.58 million for One Life to Live one year earlier.

Podcast May 17, 2012

TVMedia — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:53:23 +0000

CBS in Fall 2012, TBS and TNT, Cartoon Network, Jennifer Lopez

CW Upfronts 2012

TVMedia — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:18:05 +0000

: CW Upfront Entertainment

: CW Upfront Presentation

: CW Upfronts 2012

: CW Upfronts 2012 Beauty and the Beast

21 New Series to Launch on the 5 Broadcast Nets

marcberman — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:13:28 +0000

NBC HAS THE MOST NEW SHOWS; TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY MOST POPULATED WITH NEWBIES

This is subject to change, of course, with broadcast networks known to make changes on their “can’t miss” new primetime line-ups. But, as it stands, there will be 20 new series this fall (12 dramas, 8 sitcoms), with the breakdown by network as follows:

ABC: 5 new series (3 dramas, 2 sitcoms)
CBS: 4 new series (3 dramas, 1 sitcom)
NBC: 6 new series (2 dramas, 4 sitcoms)
Fox: 3 new series (1 drama, 2 sitcoms)
CW: 3 new series (3 dramas)

The breakdown by day is as follows:

Monday: 3 new series (2 dramas, 1 sitcom)
Tuesday: 6 new series (2 dramas, 4 sitcoms)
Wednesday: 6 new series (3 dramas, 3 sitcoms)
Thursday: 3 new series (3 dramas)
Friday: 2 new series (1 drama, 1 sitcom)
Sunday: 1 new series (1 drama)

As a benchmark, Fall 2011 featured 27 new shows (14 dramas, 11 sitcoms, 2 non-scripted).

Thursday, May 17, 2012

marcberman — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:30:39 +0000

Today in TV History
Patrick Duffy as Bobby Ewing “died” on Dallas in 1985, only to return exactly one year later after Pam’s (Victoria Principal) very long “dream.” In 2000, Fox drama Beverly Hills, 90210 concluded after 294 episodes.

In Today’s Issue

UPFRONT WEEK
-The CW in Fall 2012
-CBS in Midseason
-TNT and TBS Announce New Strategy
-Already Announced Line-Ups from ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox

NETWORK
-Wednesday 5/16/12 Metered Markets

CABLE
-Adult Swim in 2012-13

SCHEDULE BOX
-On the Air Tonight
_______________________________________________________________________

Note: It is upfront presentation week, with the five broadcast networks, plus Turner and USA, unveiling their prime-time programming plans for 2012-13. On this final day is The CW and USA.
_______________________________________________________________________

UPFRONT WEEK

The CW in Fall 2012
Three New Series; Changes on All Five Nights

With ratings on the downside, The CW is hoping to stop the bleeding with an aggressive schedule that features changes on all five nights. We will see three new dramas (Emily Owens, M.D., Arrow and Beauty and the Beast), and only one returning series, The Vampire Diaries, in its current time period.

Highly touted The Carrie Diaries, the prequel to Sex and the City, will debut in January in the Monday 9 p.m. hour after relocated Gossip Girl concludes its series run. Gossip Girl leads out of 90210, which shifts to 8 p.m. Returning Hart of Dixie, the only freshman CW series to snag a renewal, will move to Tuesdays at 8 p.m. into new medical drama Emily Owens, M.D. with former Off the Map star Mamie Gummer in the title role.

Wednesdays will feature new drama Arrow, based on Green Arrow of D.C. Comics, into relocated Supernatural, which heads into season eight. Aforementioned The Vampire Diaries leads into the remake of Beauty and the Beast on Thursday. And Friday will consist of tired (and relocated) America’s Next Top Model, which is not expected to rebound on this low HUT-level evening, followed by season three of Nikita, which shifts back one hour. While you have to admire any network that makes changes to 90 percent of its schedule, the obstacle is the returning product. Most of it is limited at best.

Joining The Carrie Diaries in midseason is new drama Cult, which focuses on an investigative journalist in search of his missing brother. Not returning on The CW are dramas Ringer and The Secret Circle.

Here is The CW’s fall 2012 line-up (with new shows in caps) followed by the new series descriptions.

Monday
8:00 p.m. 90210 (new night)
9:00 p.m. Gossip Girl (new time): THE CARRIE DIARIES in midseason

Tuesday
8:00 p.m. Hart of Dixie (new day and time)
9:00 p.m. EMILY OWENS, M.D.

Wednesday
8:00 p.m. ARROW
9:00 p.m. Supernatural (new night)

Thursday
8:00 p.m. The Vampire Diaries
9:00 p.m. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Friday
8:00 p.m. America’s Next Top Model (new day)
9:00 p.m. Nikita (new time)

New Program Descriptions

Arrow
Based on Green Arrow of D.C. Comics, a wealthy playboy and billionaire industrialist turned politician named Oliver Green (Stephen Arnell) fights crime as his alter-ego Green Arrow using arrows, martial arts and technology. Other cast members include Katie Cassidy, Paul Blackthorne, Colin Salmon, David Ramsey, Willa Holland, Colin Donnell, Jamey Sheridan and Susanna Thompson.

Beauty and the Beast
The relationship between a mythic, noble-man beast (Jay Ryan) who lives in a secret society of social outcasts in a subterranean sanctuary and a savvy female district attorney (Kristen Kreuk) is the focus of this new TV version of the classic tale.

The Carrie Diaries (midseason)
Based on the best-selling book by Candace Bushnell, the teen years of Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City in the 1980s is the focus of this prequel. Sophia Robb stars. Cast members include AnnaSophia Robb, Katie Findlay, Ellen Wong, Brendan Dooling, Freema Agyeman, Austin Butler, Matt Letscher, Chloe Bridges and Stefania Owen.

Cult (midseason)
After a string of disappearances and a likely murder, an inquisitive, young female production assistant on a popular television show called Cult joins a journalist blogger in investigating the fans of the series who might be re-creating crimes seen on the program, in real life. Jessica Lucas and Matt Davis star.

Emily Owens, M.D.
A new doctor (Mamie Gummer) comes to the sad and comical conclusion the life at the hospital where she works is really no different than high school. The ensemble cast includes Justin Hartley, Michael Rady, Jack Coleman, Kelly J. McCreary, Aja Naomi King and Necar Zadegan.

———-

CBS in Midseason
CBS is never one to load the deck with an abundance of new product in midseason, and 2013 is no exception. The network will introduce a new reality/competition from Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Apprentice) and Michael Davies (Who Wants to Be a Millionaire) called The Job, hosted by Lisa Ling, which will feature five contestants who compete for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to land their dream job at one of America’s most prestigious companies. Undercover Boss will return, and the network is in conversations to keep the sitcom that just won’t die, Rules of Engagement, alive.

TNT and TBS Announce New Strategy
TNT and TBS, which unveiled its programming initiatives in a packed presentation at the Hammerstein Ballroom in midtown Manhattan yesterday, will undertake what it refers to as a major transformation over the next two years, evolving from linear television networks into branded video destinations. For more, click on the following: http://tinyurl.com/ckm24vr.

—–

ABC in Fall 2012: Five New Series; Changes on Five Nights
CBS, of course, has a lock in total viewership, while dominance among key adults 18-49 could remain in Fox’s corner (if potentially Jennifer Lopez-less American Idol holds up, of course). But ABC’s schedule looks smart and effective, wisely utilizing the best of its current fare while cautiously re-introducing the audience to the concept of the Friday night sitcom. And that could give it an advantage over NBC in the demo next season. While there are a number of potential weak spots (returning comedies Happy Endings and The B____ in Apartment 23 in the Tuesday 9 p.m. hour, inane looking comedy The Neighbors out of Modern Family, and new drama Last Resort in the Thursday 8 p.m. hour, etc.), the good outweighs the bad.

For more, click on the following: http://tinyurl.com/7mvb8cr

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CBS in Fall 2012: Four New Series; Changes on Five Nights
Strength and consistency are the immediate observations of note on CBS’ new fall line-up, with successful entries positioned on six of the seven nights of the week (excluding wasteland Saturday, of course). And new Monday comedy Partners a potential breakout, with new drama Vegas getting early buzz. But returning The Good Wife was not exactly a big draw on Sunday, the remaining two occupants in the CSI franchise are down, and positioning aging Two and a Half Men out of red-hot The Big Bang Theory on Thursday is a missed opportunity.

For more, click on the following: http://tinyurl.com/c5fst6n

—–

NBC in Fall 2012: Six News Series; Changes on Five Nights
With at least another seven new scripted series in midseason, there is no shortage of fresh product at NBC. You must be aggressive to build for the future. But 10 comedies on the fall line-up (the most since 2000) is too many; Rock Center With Brian Williams does not belong in the Thursday 10 p.m. hour; and the overall programming philosophy seems to be to throw something new against the wall to see it if sticks. Thankfully, NBC still has Sunday Night Football to pick up the pieces. Hopefully The Voce will hold up too.

For more, click on the following: http://tinyurl.com/74pom6e

—–

Fox in Fall 2012: Three New Series; Changes on Five Nights
Quiet…that is the immediate word that comes to mind with only three new scripted series populating Fox’s fall schedule (and just two more, at present, in midseason). While the arrival of Britney Spears and Demi Lovato could help tainted The X Factor, which was a victim of its own hype, American Idol is bleeding; Raising Hope is not strong enough to anchor a two-hour live action Tuesday sitcom block; tired Glee could be ready to graduate; Touch on Friday is a question mark; and the established Sunday animation block could use a shot of adrenaline…or two.

For more, click on the following: http://tinyurl.com/8xnzj6c

_______________________________________________________________________

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE AT TV MEDIA INSIGHTS

Contact Joel Spicola at joel@tvmediainsights.com or 720/323-4055 for more information.
_______________________________________________________________________

NETWORK

Metered Market Wednesday Ratings

Wednesday 5/16/12

Household
Rating/Share
Fox 11.8/19
CBS 6.6/11
ABC 5.1/ 8
NBC 3.2/ 5
CW 0.9/ 1

-Percent Change from Year-Ago Evening – Wednesday 5/18/11
ABC: +24, CBS: + 8, NBC: – 3, Fox: -22, CW: -36

———-

-Winners:
American Idol (Fox), Modern Family (ABC), Criminal Minds (CBS)

-Losers (excluding repeats):
America’s Next Top Model (CW), Don’t Trust the B____ in Apartment 23 (ABC), Law & Order: SVU (NBC)

———-

-Rating Results:
Fox, as expected, reigned supreme on this third Wednesday in May care of American Idol, which scored an 11.8 rating/19 share in the overnights from 8-10 p.m. While that was more than enough to dominate in each of the four half-hours, year-to-year it was off by 22 percent (versus a 15.1/23 on 5/18/11). And now rumor has it Jennifer Lopez may not be returning next season. Who do you think should fill J.Lo’s seat? http://tinyurl.com/7jyno8k

Here is the half-hour breakdown:

American Idol (Fox)
8:00 p.m.: 10.6/18 (#1)
8:30 p.m.: 11.8/19 (#1)
9:00 p.m.: 12.3/19 (#1)
9:30 p.m.: 12.3/19 (#1)

On CBS, encore telecasts of Mike & Molly (#4: 2.9/ 5 at 8 p.m.) and Rules of Engagement (#4: 2.7/ 4 at 8:30 p.m.), which could still be returning next season, led into the two-hour season finale of Criminal Minds at a solid 8.6/14 from 9-11 p.m. Comparably, that was right on par from one year earlier. Here is the half-hour breakdown:

Criminal Minds (CBS)
9:00 p.m.: 7.8/12 (#2)
9:30 p.m.: 8.4/13 (#2)
10:00 p.m.: 9.1/15 (#1)
10:30 p.m.: 9.0/15 (#1)

Modern Family was the standout on ABC, of course, with a third-place 7.0/11 at 9 p.m. And that, comparably, will finish second among adults 18-49 in the time period behind Idol. Next was disappointing Don’t Trust the B____ in Apartment 23 (#3: 3.9/ 6 at 9:30 p.m.), which will not have an easy time being paired with Happy Endings in the Tuesday 9 p.m. hour next fall, followed by Revenge (#2: 5.1/ 9 at 10 p.m.), which shifts to Sundays at 9 p.m. in season two. Consider that both a bold and very wise move.

Earlier in the evening on ABC was The Middle at a second-place 4.8/ 8 at 8 p.m. (down six percent from one year earlier), followed by the season one finale of Suburgatory at a 4.3/ 7 (#2) at 8:30 p.m. While not a stellar initial season by any means, the solid retention for Suburgatory out of The Middle made its renewal an easy decision.

Elsewhere, NBC filled the evening with two more episodes of Betty White’s Off Their Rockers (#3: avg. 3.6/ 6 from 8-9 p.m.), which will return in midseason, a repeat of Law & Order: SVU (#4: 1.9/ 3 at 9 p.m.), and an original installment of tired SVU (#3: 4.1/ 6 at 10 p.m.), which year-to-year slipped by a hefty 33 percent (versus a 6.1/10 on 5/18/11). The CW aired a double (repeat and original dose) of should-have-been axed America’s Next Top Model. The encore averaged a 0.7/ 1 at 8 p.m. (#5), followed by the original at a 1.1/ 2 at 9 p.m. Next season, tired Top Model moves to Fridays at 8 p.m. into returning Nikita.

Source: Nielsen Media Research data

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CABLE

Adult Swim in 2012-13
Young adult favorite Adult Swim has unveiled an aggressive slate of original programming. New series include Newsreaders, a satire of the network television newsmagazine genre; late night talker The Eric Andre Show (which premieres this Sunday at 12:30 a.m. ET); animated Black Dynamite, which is based on the 2009 feature film; Hot Package, which is a satire on the syndicated newsmagazines; an untitled workplace comedy about an associate demon as he competes on the corporate ladder of the underworld; and the return of anime favorite Toonami. There is also a Robot Chicken DC Comics special, a Venture Brothers Halloween special, and a Morel Orel special.

Pilots at Cartoon Network include Colonel Wallace (working title), Coffin Dodgers; Freestyle Love Supreme; Green Bench: The American Day Dream, NTSF: SD; SVU: Home Security System; King Star King, Rick & Morty; Ridiculous and Absurd Infomercials (That Sell You Nothing); Rolling With Dad; and an untitled animated Harold & Kumar project. Returning series are Aqua Something You Know Whatever; The Boondocks; Childrens Hospital; China, IL; The Heart, She Holler; Lotter Squad; NTSF: SD: SVU; Robot Chicken,; Squidbillies and Superjail!

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SCHEDULE BOX

Thursday, May 17

ABC
8:00 p.m. Missing (series finale)
9:00 p.m. Grey’s Anatomy
10:00 p.m. Scandal

CBS
8:00 p.m. The Big Bang Theory (R)
8:30 p.m. Rules of Engagement
9:00 p.m. Person of Interest (season finale)
10:00 p.m. The Mentalist (season finale)

NBC
8:00 p.m. Community
8:30 p.m. 30 Rock (season finale)
9:00 p.m. Community
9:30 p.m. Community (season finale)
10:00 p.m. Awake

Fox
8:00 p.m. American Idol
9:00 p.m. Touch

CW
8:00 p.m. Perez Hilton – All Access: Katy Perry
9:00 p.m. The Vampire Diaries (R)
_______________________________________________________________________________

Note: The Trivia Challenge will be on hiatus until tomorrow to accommodate Upfront Week. But there will still be a new question each day in the TVMI Media Jobs Classified email.

The CW in Fall 2012

marcberman — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:14:15 +0000

THREE NEW DRAMAS; CHANGES ON 90 PERCENT OF THE SCHEDULE

Here is The CW’s fall 2012 line-up (with new shows in caps) followed by the new series descriptions.

Monday
8:00 p.m. 90210 (new night)
9:00 p.m. Gossip Girl (new time): THE CARRIE DIARIES in midseason

Tuesday
8:00 p.m. Hart of Dixie (new day and time)
9:00 p.m. EMILY OWENS, M.D.

Wednesday
8:00 p.m. ARROW
9:00 p.m. Supernatural (new night)

Thursday
8:00 p.m. The Vampire Diaries
9:00 p.m. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Friday
8:00 p.m. America’s Next Top Model (new day)
9:00 p.m. Nikita (new time)

NEW PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

Dallas and Beverly Hills, 90210

marcberman — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:42:43 +0000

Patrick Duffy as Bobby Ewing “died” on Dallas in 1985, only to return exactly one year later after Pam’s (Victoria Principal) very long “dream.” In 2000, Fox drama Beverly Hills, 90210 concluded after 294 episodes.

TNT and TBS Announce New Strategy

marcberman — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:59:31 +0000

BRANDED VIDEO DESTINATIONS IS THE GOAL

TNT and TBS, which unveiled its programming initiatives at a packed presentation at the Hammerstein Ballroom in midtown Manhattan, will undertake what it refers to as a major transformation over the next two years, evolving from linear television networks into branded video destinations.

“Our strategy is designed to confront the challenges of an ever-growing media universe by focusing on the strength of our brands, the power of our programming and the ability to deliver branded video content that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere and on any device,” said Steve Koonin, president of Turner Entertainment Networks. “To reach our destination, we will focus on leading with the strength of the TBS and TNT brands; cementing each network’s foundation with popular, high-profile acquisitions; expanding our lineup of scripted and unscripted original series to a year-round model; and maximizing multi-screen opportunities.”

“Turner continues to make investments in programming that has broad appeal with viewers, and our commitment to producing originals throughout the year and content for all screens will provide tremendous opportunities for our clients and their brands,” added David Levy, president of sales, distribution and sports, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. “As viewer habits progress and we evolve into a One Media World, advertisers continue to look for opportunities to engage with consumers on multiple screens and platforms. Turner’s leading portfolio of linear and digital brands, with enhanced original content, provides our advertising partners with greater reach for their messages, across multiple screens, genres and demographics.”

This summer, TNT will air nine original series, its most ever, including Rizzoli & Isles, Franklin & Bash, Dallas, Falling Skies, The Great Escape, Perception, Leverage, Major Crimes and the final six episodes of The Closer. Other titles in 2013 are returning Southland, which was picked-up for 10 new episodes, and new entries Monday Mornings, Boston Blue and 72 Hours. TBS, meanwhile, will populate its 2012-13 schedule with original series Men at Work, Sullivan & Son, Wedding Band, King of the Nerds, Deon Cole’s Black Box, Who Gets the last Laugh? and soon-to-be former ABC sitcom Cougar Town.